Cigarette Smoking Christians

[Bonairos]

How 'bout those Cigarette Smoking Christians?!

Good? Bad?
Okay? Not Okay?
Saved? Not Saved?
Habit? Sin? Habitual sin?

I'm interested to hear your opinion AND the manner in which you express them.


Be blessed, Stay blessed!

 

[Mike]

I don't believe there's anything inherently sinful in smoking cigarettes. It could be a stumbling block to someone who feels convicted to stop but does not let go, IMO. I've never smoked, but I'm not going to condemn someone who does.

Although I would never choose to smoke, I do believe there is some sort of "social stigma" that has created this connection with sin. No doubt, they are bad for your health and a big waste of money, but if we're going to call it sin because it pollutes the body, why don't we throw in fast-food, donuts and potato chips?

Check this out... Very funny! Me thinks this wouldn't fly in 2011.

[video=youtube;gCMzjJjuxQI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMzjJjuxQI[/video]

 

[bibie]

No doubt, they are bad for your health and a big waste of money, but if we're going to call it sin because it pollutes the body, why don't we throw in fast-food, donuts and potato chips?

I only have one question about this statement. People who eats fast food, donuts and potato chips do so because they are hungry, and it's cheap.
but people who smokes cigarettes, what is it for?

 

[reba]

I grew up when Christians did NOT smoke. No discussion! IT was a big deal to me when i met a wonderful Christian lady SHE SMOKED! How can this be? Well i had much to learn...

One way i got it figured out was the traveling preacher..... his text;;

<O:p
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

23:21</st1:time> For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. <O:p></O:p>

He was pacing across the platform slamming the pulpit yakking about tobacco and alcohol! That in its self is not so bad.. Who should smoke and drink? Here is the catch this guys vest buttons were about to pop of and they could have killed ya. He was almost as wide as tall…..

There are non righteous no not one…<O:p></O:p>

 

[stovebolts]

I smoked for 21 years.

I always knew how many cigarettes where left in my pack, and I was never without a pack, and I took my cigarettes everywhere I went, I even knew when I'd get to have my next cigarette.

I only wish I could have felt that deeply, or concerned for my wife, or my children. Had I spent a 10th of my energies that I dedicated to my cigarettes toward my family... well, you get the idea.

I finally quit shortly after the day that my daughter wanted to play catch football outside and I couldn't run 20 yards without being winded. After about 10 minutes, I just couldn't do it anymore and I saw the disappointment in my daughters face.

It was at this point that I saw just how selfish I was. Many times my daughter had told me not to smoke in the car, and that they stunk, but I insisted I was the adult and I could smoke in my car if I wanted to. Now, my selfishness took something else away from her, and it was our quality time together. It's not often a young teen wants to spend time with their step Dad.. Parents just aint cool at that age. Opportunity was there, and I blew it because my cigarettes were more important than being able to toss a football around for a half hour.

So I quit years ago and now she's getting all grown up, and we'll be running a 5 k together this summer.

 

[Nick]

Mike, I see your point, but I don't think we can put fast food in the same class as cigarettes. People eat fast food for a meal, and it can have some good in it. Fast food is getting a lot better, at least where I live.

Cigarettes on the other hand, seriously, what do people get out of them except horrible diseases and often a shortened life?

 

[Mike]

Mike, I see your point, but I don't think we can put fast food in the same class as cigarettes. People eat fast food for a meal, and it can have some good in it.

You're wrong, Nick! blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!!!

True some eat it because it is cheap and it is food (allegedly). But some eat it because their body comes to crave the high fat intake. My career has done learned me nuff to know some can have a certain dependence on fast food. So, my point was that it depends on the person. It can be a stumbling block, not that it is.

I would never suggest that there's anything good about smoking, but is it a sin? That's the OP question.

 

[Pizzaguy]

I"m a southern baptist - that means that anything that is considered a "gray area" is a sin - IF it is something that I, myself, don't do.

If it IS something that I do, I just cite the fact that it is not specifically called out in the bible, so therefore, it is NOT a sin.








oops, had the sarcasm switch on again....

 

[cleanfreak]

I am very surprised to see these answers. I will assume none of you have ever lost a Father due to lung cancer which was directly due to smoking cigarettes. If the road to death is sin, then this would indeed fit the category.
I will reply more tomorrow when I have time.

 

[Pizzaguy]

Both of my parents died with complications from smoking. Mom was 73, Dad was 83. Both paid with their health in their later years for their smoking. My mom even said that "had I known, I'd not have eaten like I did and carried all that extra weight, nor would I have smoked all those years".

Dad did a bit better, as he was VERY physically active his whole life.

With what we know about it, I can't believe people still smoke.

Is it a sin? Ask a theologian.
Is it stupid and costly and wrong? Yes, to all three.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Used to be one myself.

Good?

Nah - it's a Bad thing physically. Everybody has always KNOWN that beyond the shadow of a doubt.

NOBODY in 2011 in the U.S. could possibly have any doubt that Smoking simply isn't good for you. Simple as that.

But in general that's not the "Spiritual problem" with it. The issue is the first commandment: thou shalt have NO OTHER GODS.

Those of us who were "hooked" - were serving a "god" MUCH MORE faithfully than we EVER did the ONE God, and with FAR greater commitment. When they told me I had precancerous changes in my lungs, THAT Slowed me down to two packs a day - for almost two weeks before I worked back up to three again. "God" wasn't my primary "God" - Pall Mall was.

Saved?

Sure I was - but addiction to cigarettes was WRONG for a Christian (just like addiction to anything else).

And after much prayer, the day came when the Lord MADE IT POSSIBLE for me to stop. It wasn't pretty, and NOTHING was easy. It was COLD TURKEY all the way - buckets of lifesavers, hard candy, Smoking dreams - 6 months of pure hell. HE just gave me the ability to not smoke in 1967, and I haven't lit up since.

But I'm STILL a "Smoker" - I just didn't smoke one - today. There ARE days even 44 years later when I'd KILL for a Lucky Strike, or a Pall Mall.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"Cigarettes on the other hand, seriously, what do people get out of them except horrible diseases and often a shortened life?"

Simple, y'all!!

There's the glorious feeling of those first few drags on a fresh cigarette. Feeling your body relax, and the great taste in your mouth, and the feeling when you exhale!!!!!! And the completion of a good meal when you light up with a hot cup of coffee!! Pure pleasure. I miss 'em - have for over 40 years.

 

[pjt]

I think sometimes a sin is defined by motive. If someone starts smoking out of rebellion especially towards parents, then the act of smoking is sinful. If someone really realizes smoking is killing them and harming the people they live with but still choose to smoke with no efforts to stop and no concern about the effect their smoke has on the rest of their family, then I think there is sin in that uncaring act.

On the other hand, some people start smoking because their parents and grandparents smoked. It`s just a habit that was passed down to them. They are not smoking out of rebellion and they do not particularly see it as harmful to the health despite what they`ve heard in health class or on TV, especially if their grandparents lived to a good old age which happens sometimes. Not all smokers get lung cancer, breathing problems, or smoking related illnesses. So in this case, I`d describe smoking as a bad habit rather than a sin.

Likewise, not every culture sees smoking in the same way Americans do. For example, in some parts of China it is very polite when you meet someone to offer a cigarette. This is a courtesy. So if a Christian did a cultural couresy, would they be in sin especially if there is nothing in the Bible that says not to smoke? Unless, God has specifically convicted their hearts on this matter and they ignored God, I can`t define their smoking as a sin.

In summary I`d say smoking is something that should be avoided, but it is not necessarily a sin.

 

[pjt]

I only have one question about this statement. People who eats fast food, donuts and potato chips do so because they are hungry, and it's cheap.
but people who smokes cigarettes, what is it for?

Some people smoke for the same reasons people turn to comfort food, it comforts and relaxes them. Why else are prisons filled with smokers? I once read 70 or 80 percent of prisoners smoke. I`d hate to be in prison simply because I`d choke from all that smoke.

 

[Mike]

Some people smoke for the same reasons people turn to comfort food, it comforts and relaxes them. Why else are prisons filled with smokers? I once read 70 or 80 percent of prisoners smoke. I`d hate to be in prison simply because I`d choke from all that smoke.

In self-defense, I just want the record to show, while your quote attached the comments to me, this was an earlier response to me - not my quote.

 

[pjt]

In self-defense, I just want the record to show, while your quote attached the comments to me, this was an earlier response to me - not my quote.

I think something may be wrong with the system because I pressed the reply button to bibie`s post. I did not realize your name came up instead, but this is the second time I`ve seen this happen. The first time my name got attached to someone else`s quote a couple of days ago.

 

[Nick]

I am very surprised to see these answers. I will assume none of you have ever lost a Father due to lung cancer which was directly due to smoking cigarettes. If the road to death is sin, then this would indeed fit the category.
I will reply more tomorrow when I have time.

My Grandad smoked for 46 years up until about six years ago. Very heavy smoker. He now has a tube that helps drain fluid from his brain or something, I think it's called a shunt. This has only improved his fittness a little; he still gets very worn out just walking. He's only 70 and I can see many more health problems on the way. He's quite lucky.

Smoking does terrible things to peoples' bodies, their lives, and the lives of their families. No one has answered my question on the 'goods' of smoking. So I conclude that there isn't any. There are a few goods about fast food, but like anyting, it is sin if it becomes an idol, an addiction. But I believe smoking is inherently bad. Perhaps not sin unless it becomes an addiction, but bad nonetheless.

 

[l'Chante]

Guys, I’m a smoker. And for no other reason than the fact that I’m addicted. When I feel like strangling the life out of a colleague whom so desperately needs it, I politely excuse myself and go for a cigarette.

My father always tells me that the stuff will kill me, and I will just respond that the ‘stuff’ has saved numerous idiots lives thus far.<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

But joking about it doesn’t change the fact that when I need to control my emotions, I go for my cigarettes and not for God. And ask any smoker; anything is a reason to smoke. You smoke because you social, you smoke because you are lonely, busy, bored, angry, stressed, happy, sad, jealous, hungry, full from a good meal, or good *censor*...<O:p</O:p

 

[cleanfreak]

Re: Used to be one myself.

Good?

Nah - it's a Bad thing physically. Everybody has always KNOWN that beyond the shadow of a doubt.

NOBODY in 2011 in the U.S. could possibly have any doubt that Smoking simply isn't good for you. Simple as that.

But in general that's not the "Spiritual problem" with it. The issue is the first commandment: thou shalt have NO OTHER GODS.

Those of us who were "hooked" - were serving a "god" MUCH MORE faithfully than we EVER did the ONE God, and with FAR greater commitment. When they told me I had precancerous changes in my lungs, THAT Slowed me down to two packs a day - for almost two weeks before I worked back up to three again. "God" wasn't my primary "God" - Pall Mall was.

No need for me to further comment. This pretty much sums it up.
great post.

 

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Used to be one myself.

But I'm STILL a "Smoker" - I just didn't smoke one - today. There ARE days even 44 years later when I'd KILL for a Lucky Strike, or a Pall Mall.

That is one powerful drug.